Keeping It Clean and Efficient: Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

The garbage disposal is a kitchen essential that helps to make kitchen cleanup a breeze, but it often goes unnoticed until something goes wrong. If you have a problem and need garbage disposal repair, contact Pilot Plumbing. In the meantime, here are some tips to help keep your kitchen garbage disposal working at its best.

Run Cold Water When Using

Always run cold water while using the garbage disposal and continue to run it for a few seconds after turning off the unit. You don’t need to waste your hot water on this task, especially since it can liquefy grease, leading to potential clogs further down the drain.

The cold water helps solidify grease and fats, making it easier for the disposal to break them down. The water also helps to keep the food debris moving along.

Don’t Misuse It

Your garbage disposal isn’t a trash compactor. It’s not for everything. Only dispose of food scraps that are safe for it to handle. You can refer to your garbage disposal manual if you have any questions about what not to put down it.

For instance, avoid putting items like bones, fruit pits, coffee grounds, fibrous vegetables (e.g., celery, corn husks), and non-food items down the disposal. These can permanently damage the blades or cause clogs.

Cut Scraps into Smaller Pieces

To prevent overloading and improve efficiency, cut larger food scraps into smaller pieces before putting them into the garbage disposal. This reduces the strain on the motor and helps the unit have a longer lifespan.

Clean Regularly

To avoid unpleasant smells emanating from your garbage disposal, make a habit of cleaning it once a week. One simple method is to pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the disposal, followed by running cold water for a minute.

This helps remove debris and neutralizes odors. Alternatively, you can use specially formulated disposal cleaning products.

Grind Ice Cubes

Grinding ice cubes in your garbage disposal helps to clean the blades and dislodge any debris that may be stuck. It also helps to sharpen the blades, promoting smoother operation.

Keep Foreign Objects Out

Have you ever had this happen? You’re washing dishes and one of the pieces of silverware falls into the garbage disposal. Accidents happen, and sometimes small foreign objects may find their way into the disposal.

To help prevent this, put a metal strainer in the drain. You can pick these up at any hardware store and they universally fit most kitchen drain holes. But just in case, before turning on your garbage disposal, double-check that no silverware, bottle caps, or other non-food items are inside.

Check For Leaks

Every so often, check the area under the sink regularly for any signs of leaks. A leak can lead to water damage and may indicate a problem with the disposal's seals or plumbing connections.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

Contact Pilot Plumbing in Conroe, TX for routine garbage disposal maintenance. We offer affordable plans that can help keep your disposal and other plumbing appliances working as they should.

Know When to Replace

Even with proper maintenance, garbage disposals have a limited lifespan. If your disposal is old, inefficient or frequently breaking down, it may be time to invest in a new one.

By following these essential garbage disposal maintenance tips, you can keep your unit clean, efficient, and odor-free, ensuring it remains a reliable kitchen companion for years to come. Contact us to learn more about taking care of your garbage disposal. We look forward to serving your needs!